KirkBalkissoon48046 (Customer) asked a question.
I want to go from AM 8.4 to 8.7 SP2. I would like to avoid the phased upgrade approach.
Do I need to do a phased upgrade approach? Can I take a backup of my 8.4 primary and replica. Then can I stand up a new 8.7.2 server and, in the OC restore from backup?
@KirkBalkissoon48046 (Customer) ,
You can only restore an Authentication Manager backup on the same version it was taken. A backup done on 8.4 will not restore on 8.7 SP2.
You will need to install 8.5 > run the AM 8.6 Pre-Upgrade Check Tool > 8.6 > 8.7 > 8.7 SP1 > 8.7 SP2 > 8.8 > 8.9.
This upgrade process doc has additional details, as does Appendix A of the Authentication Manager Setup and Configuration Guide for each version. Use this link for software downloads.
Unfortunately you have to go through the steps outlined here: https://community.rsa.com/s/article/RSA-Authentication-Manager-Upgrade-Process The biggest reason is the change from Steel-Belted RADIUS to FreeRADIUS when upgrading from 8.5 to 8.6.
If you want to avoid downtime in production, then the best approach would be to set up a new virtual machine at 8.4, take a backup of your production server, then restore that backup to the new virtual machine. You could then upgrade it to 8.7.2, and make it the new production Primary. You would also have to rebuild your replicas, as they do not get carried over when restoring a remote backup.
Thank you so much David and Erica. I think upgrading a separate 8.4 to 8.7 will work for us. Thanks again for the suggestion, take care!